• Happy holidays, folks! Thanks to each and every one of you for being part of the Tom's Guiide community!

Can you format a netbook without a cd/dvd drive?

poochi08861

Distinguished
Nov 30, 2011
3
0
18,510
I cant get any of my programs to open unless I right click and run as admin.....I also get errors when I try to use the icons on my control panel...rundll32.exe missing.... I was told to format but I dunno how and my netbook has no disc drive...
 

AntiZig

Distinguished
see if you have recovery partition on your hard drive

or check during boot up maybe there's a key you can hit for recovery console

I'd do some research on your manufacturer's support website on where the recovery OS copy is stored and how to access it.

worst case you can go either with USB CD drive or flash stick
 

poochi08861

Distinguished
Nov 30, 2011
3
0
18,510
I did my research and found no recovery partition....support tells me I need an external drive and I currently cannot afford one...is the a link I can redownload Windows XP Home?
 
What did your research tell your about the reason there is no recovery partition? That's a very unusual condition, so much so that it needs more explanation.

Is it too much trouble for you to list the make and model of your netbook?

You can get a bootable OS (Linux) installed on a USB flash drive and even install it on your 'Netbook.
Ubuntu Desktop for example

 

poochi08861

Distinguished
Nov 30, 2011
3
0
18,510



it is a Gateway LT20
 

nukemaster

Distinguished
Moderator
Is there not a program called Gateway Recovery Manager? on the system?

Most recovery partitions should be hidden, but show up under disk management. The external drive should only be needed to MAKE a recovery cd/DVD set

Check under Start->Gateway->Gateway Recovery Manager

Systems should NOT ship without a recovery partition. or CD/DVD media.

In the case of a netbook, I would guess a partition.